In a bid to overhaul how properties are identified and accessed across Nigeria’s most densely populated state, the Lagos State Government has launched a digital house numbering initiative called the Lagos Identity Project.
The goal is to enhance taxation, safety, prevent rental fraud, and improve urban planning in governance as well as public service delivery.
The unveiling took place in Alausa and was led by Dr Olajide Babajide, special adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Enterprise Geographic Information System (e-GIS).
The state is starting with a pilot rollout in Eti-Osa Local Government Area and aims to scale across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs once initial results are reviewed.
Unlike traditional address systems, the Lagos Identity Project embeds QR codes into address plates. Each plate is colour-coded by local government area. When scanned, it reveals verified property details instantly, enabling faster location identification for emergency services, utilities, delivery agents, and security teams.
“We’ve had issues ranging from tax evasion to untraceable addresses. This new digital system is the solution,” said Babajide.
This statement reiterates the core problem the government is attempting to fix. Unstructured property data has led to inefficiencies in taxation, further causing delays in emergency response, and enabling various forms of urban fraud. Now, Lagos wants to fix this.
The project’s technical foundation was laid through a two-year aerial mapping exercise carried out by Interspatial, the state’s private sector partner.
Babajide stated that the system meets global standards for civic identification and data protection, adding, “This isn’t just a project; it’s a legacy that aligns with international benchmarks.”
The system’s design also contains Know Your Customer (KYC) features, allowing verification of property occupants and owners, while maintaining compliance with global privacy regulations. This is particularly important for densely packed areas where informal housing dominates and identity verification is near impossible.
Mr Yinka Adesiyan, a co-sponsor and technical partner, stressed the long-term value of the project: “This project goes beyond house numbers. It makes Lagos safer, smarter, and more transparent.”
He added, “Emergency responders, utility workers, and even residents will be able to navigate the city more effectively.”
Implementation is not being left to chance. Young people trained under the state-backed Ibile programme are handling enumeration and installation duties. This helps ensure data reliability while promoting community ownership and inclusion.
Importantly, the state government has chosen to fully fund the project, which Babajide views as a sign of real political will: “Technology costs money, and this investment shows the government’s will to improve planning and services.”
With Lagos still dealing with high population and infrastructural pressure, this project may be one of the most practical, and overdue, steps toward making the city more navigable, fair, and future-ready.
But its success will depend not just on QR codes or aerial maps, but on how seriously residents and officials use what it enables.
